Video and photo gallery: Thousands attend BBC First World War roadshow at The Forum in Norwich

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. Patricia Sutterby, 68, from King's Lynn, with photos of her grandfather Samuel Bone. She queued up to search for information about him. Picture: Denise Bradley

Archant

Poignant songs, stories and performances about the First World War drew an estimated 3,500 people to a BBC roadshow marking the centenary of the conflict’s outbreak.

The BBC World War One At Home Live Event made only its second of 25 stops around the country when it came to The Forum in Norwich on Saturday.

Visitors brought objects ranging from tattered black and white photos to a deactivated bomb and a watch which saved someone’s life when it stopped a bullet.

For many, the chance to discover more about what relatives did during the war was the main reason for coming.

Patricia Sutterby, from King’s Lynn, brought pictures of her grandfather Samuel Bone. She said he had not talked to her about the war, and she wanted to find out what medals he got.

The 68 year old said: “My mother said he was a King’s Lynn fisherman and he went into the Royal Navy when the war started. He did not come home until she was about three years old and she did know him. She ran away from him when he first came back.”

Norma Carroll, from Norwich, also brought pictures of her grandfather, Frank Slinn, who rarely talked about the war unless prompted.

She said: “As far as I know from my parents, he tried to get in in 1914 when he was 14 and he got brought home by his mum. He was working for an engineering company and his mum got his boss to get him back.”

She said he was in the Royal Flying Corps, and she wanted to find out whether family anecdotes were true.

Kylie Maritza, 25, from Aldridge in the West Midlands, said she was impressed by the number of people who came to the event, and added: “I like the atmosphere. It’s a nice remembrance of the whole thing.”

Shaun Peel, regional broadcast co-ordinator for BBC East TV, said highlights for him included a “haunting” performance of first world war songs by 16-year-old King’s Lynn musician Soham De.

The event came to an poignant end when James House, who was visiting with his fiancée the day before he was due to deploy on HMS Illustrious, played the Last Post.

What did you relatives do in the First World War? Email kimberley.briscoe@archant.co.uk

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Photo gallery: First World War roadshow

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. History teacher and broadcaster Dan Greef talks about the medics in the trenches with actors Jake Mayes, front, and Ben Horrox as soldiers. Picture: Denise Bradley

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. Soham De, 17, from King's Lynn sings adapted war songs. Picture: Denise Bradley

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. Soham De, 17, from King's Lynn sings adapted war songs. Picture: Denise Bradley

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. Picture: Denise Bradley

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. Jackie Cooper, left, gets help from Melanie Donnelly, project manager from the Imperial War Museum Lives in the First World War project, to search for information about her grandfather Thomas Henley. Picture: Denise Bradley

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. Jake Mayes, left, and Ben Horrox of Best 'O' Both Theatre in a short piece about cowardice. Picture: Denise Bradley

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. Jake Mayes, left, and Ben Horrox of Best 'O' Both Theatre in a short piece about cowardice. Picture: Denise Bradley

The BBC World War One road show at the Forum. Patricia Sutterby, 68, from King's Lynn, with photos of her grandfather Samuel Bone. She queued up to search for information about him. Picture: Denise Bradley

Those poor boys ,as my Dad lying about their age to go and do their bit! for the war to end all wars ! He got hit by a Dum Dum Sniper Bullet at Vimy Ridge,and though surviving it left my Dear Dad with his nerves and wellbeing totally shattered.No glory for him and thousands of others.We weep for the tragedy of the 1st World War and all the wars following,but there are still wars,it seems nobody learns